“I can’t move,” says Rinpoche. “Why?” asks the physiotherapist. “Ants! I will tread on the ants.” So starts the debate between Rinpoche and Rinpoche’s Nepalese physiotherapist, Rajesh: Rajesh doesn’t understand why Rinpoche is so concerned about the ants and treading on one or two of them while he is doing his exercises. Rinpoche gives a brief explanation on compassion. Rajesh accepts. We gently remove the ants and Rinpoche continues to do his exercises.

Rajesh has been working with Rinpoche for about 10 days now and they are developing a good relationship. Rajesh is very good at what he does and has helped a number of Westerners here in Nepal. This morning (Rajesh comes every morning at 7:45 a.m. for one hour) after the physiotherapy session finished, Rinpoche answered Rajesh’s question about the main difference between Buddhism and Christianity. Rinpoche answered in 10 minutes. And then Rajesh had to go to his next client.

There is a lot of laughter during the session (Rajesh tells the jokes and Rinpoche keeps laughing) but at the same time Rajesh definitely keeps control of the session. It works very well.

Rinpoche is also spending time checking and seeing what can be done for Khenrinpoche Lama Lhundrup. Lama Lhundrup has good care here at the monastery with his attendants and Jo, a nurse and palliative care specialist who is a student of Lama Lhundrup from New Zealand. The Tibetan doctor visits him regularly and Rinpoche is attending to the spiritual aspects of the healing: blessing water, prayer sessions with the monks, pujas, etc.

Every now and again Rinpoche says about his own situation, “This will take time … have to wait for the karma to finish … it will take time.” Since the time in the hospital Rinpoche has been saying this. This morning I asked Rinpoche, “How long?” Rinpoche said, “Can’t say, maybe six months, maybe longer.”

Last night Rinpoche circumambulated Bouddha Stupa three times by himself and then about 10 times in the wheelchair. Rinpoche always stops at the two bigger prayer wheels and turns these with effort and difficulty with his right hand – it’s good exercise! Rinpoche said circumambulating Bouddha and Swayambhunath Stupas is very helpful for the mind. Rinpoche is really keen on circumambulating: the first night it was raining, so we did so in the rain. Most of the time we circumambulate late at night as it is quiet then.

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?

With the cutest shy smile and deep, beautiful dimples he says, “To say hello.” (The incarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog is 8 years old and small for his age, but smart as the ace of spades!)

Lama Zopa Rinpoche says quietly to me, “I think he is a little worried about me and just coming to check.”

They chatted between themselves for an hour and looked at a short video of Maratika, the cave where Guru Rinpoche achieved immortality. The big rinpoche and the small rinpoche (did I mention who is as smart as the ace of spades?)

A few days later Phuntsok Rinpoche came to see Lama Zopa Rinpoche again. He replied this time, “No reason, just want to see.” He just wanted to say hello and make an offering. Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave the khata back with one hand carefully over the head of the smiling little rinpoche and then asked me to double the money in the offering envelope and give it back to Phuntsok Rinpoche.

The little rinpoche, smiling, asked if his friend can come in and make an offering. Rinpoche said OK. Then, this little monk – even smaller and so close to the ground! – came in and offered a khata and offering to big rinpoche. Rinpoche asked me to double the offering and he gave it back to the very small monk. The two children both smiled and left after a little conversation.

Last night Rinpoche was doing a lot of prayers, slowly as his mouth has difficulty pronouncing the words. Rinpoche wanted to go down to spend some time with Lama Lhundrup to do prayers together and give a lung. Lama Lhundrup does not move much these days and is very quiet. I asked Kunkyen if Lama Lhundrup was OK as Rinpoche wanted to come down.

Kunkyen checked and said, “OK.”

I went up and explained to Rinpoche, “OK.”

Rinpoche started to do some preparation and then in the next minute Lama Lhundrup had come upstairs and was waiting outside, respectfully saying, “Rinpoche can’t come down, I must come up.” (Keep in mind that Lama Lhundrup’s cancer is quite advanced.)

Then proceeded a beautiful dance – the movement between two gracious lamas: one having advanced cancer, the other having had a stroke not long ago, the right side still not working. They both acted humbly, graciously and quietly; the feeling was very calm and peaceful. Awkwardly, Rinpoche tried moving his text and with slurred speech gave the lung with Lama Lhundrup sitting opposite slightly bent over, very still and quiet. It didn’t take long. And then they both parted.

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?

Over the last week Rinpoche hasn't been regular in the physio and exercise, I guess it was a bit of an experiment from Rinpoche's side but also due to business with other programs. The physio came this morning (after 1 week absence) and confirmed that generally the muscles lost their tone and this is due to not exercising them regular and many times in the day. So again it requires a lot of discipline mostly from Rinpoche's side to keep moving/training the muscles in every part of the right side ... even all the facial ones ... as over the last week even the speech has deteriorated. For a diabetic the physio says it is more difficult as the muscles become fatigued quicker, so requires more repetition for shorter periods also rest in between. And even Rinpoche can walk the 3 kms around Swayambhu much of that time can be that he becomes lazy in the way the right leg is used ... swinging it from the hip rather than bending at the knee in a forward action. So we have to have Rinpoche stop regularly rest and then start again ... working quality rather quantity.

Then the need to focus on balance and coordination ... as well as speed to react with the right muscles. All this has to be worked into normal daily actions all the time and this requires most of all Rinpoche's participation and cooperation. It is hard for Rinpoche as he is not so familiar and disciplined with physical exercise ... as well it requires more effort and repetition for a diabetic ... interspersed with short periods of rest.

This morning the physio (he is very good and Rinpoche listens to him!) came at 7-45 am (his normal time for a session) ... he expects Rinpoche to be rested in the morning ... but in fact Rinpoche has been doing prayers/meditating most of the time thru the night... so not rested ... the body is a little tired and not responding well to the exercises ... so change of strong habits ... again not easy.

Rinpoche finished a 10 day course of acupuncture a week ago and will not continue more at this time.

Khadro la is back in Nepal and is doing massage and her physio style ... similar to the physio but more aggressive! Interesting to see the similarities ... Khadro la is very confident in what she does and Rinpoche seems to respond well.

In the background we have 4 western doctors overseeing from a distance Rinpoche's progress with the blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Blood pressure is getting better (with western medication) and is reasonable now; also the sugar levels are better but using insulin injections 3 times a day.

The big challenge at present and for the next several months is the discipline with regular physio and exercise through the day, every day, so Rinpoche needs the space and conditions to do that. This is the reason why Rinpoche has not been accepting appointments. Still Rinpoche puts effort into the necessary organizational work and responsibilities which he has a lot of energy for.

Thank you to everyone for all your support in so many ways.

roger

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?

Rinpoche is doing well with his recovery. Now the main emphasis is on keeping a strict daily discipline of exercise, massage specializing in clearing the blockages for helping to restore normal use of the right side) and physio work. The discipline in the past has been interrupted here for various reasons ... now we need to be even more strict as we have been warned that the optimum time for restoring Rinpoche's physical condition to normal is quickly passing ... the next few months are critical.

Rinpoche has a full day of exercise etc. starting with the physio coming at 7.45 am ... there are some breaks through the day for Rinpoche to do prayers etc. ... then in the evening Rinpoche does korwa at either Swoyambhu or Bodha stupa... Rinpoche believes this is one of the best activities for purification as well as physical exercise, of course it gets interrupted sometimes due rain ... monsoon, still sometimes Rinpoche does korwa in the rain.

Our request to those who would like to visit Rinpoche is ... please not in the next few months, of course if it was just 1 or 2 visits it would be fine but many would like to visit and then the schedule goes out the window as Rinpoche will not say no... he very much focuses on others.

Thank you very kindly to everyone for your understanding,

roger

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?

Now it is nearly 4 months since Rinpoche had a stroke, we are doing our best in changing circumstances to keep the discipline of physio and physical exercises going as well as medication for the control of the diabetes and blood pressure. In terms of Rinpoche's progress it is slow but continues to be positive. There is more use of the right arm and leg, the arm is taking longer but according to doctors this is expected. The speech seems to be improving slowly also and Rinpoche uses chanting prayers as the exercise for the mouth rather than what the speech therapist normally gives. The difficult and complicated chanting takes quite a bit of effort but seems to be working ... and of course much more inspiring (to Rinpoche) than the normal phrases.

We have had a new leg brace made which allows Rinpoche better leg movement when walking, so now we use part of the high quality brace made in Australia (A$2,000) with the brace made here (3,200 rs ... about $35 dollars) and it seems we have a good arrangement for the next phase of development in helping the right leg. The right arm and hand is more complicated and depends a lot on Rinpoche using it as much as he can ... to retrain it, so if you get something signed by Rinpoche and you can't read it! then you know it has been signed by Rinpoche.

Thank you to everyone for all your understanding and support in so many ways,

roger

Our problem is that inside us there's a mind going, "Impossible, impossible, impossible. I can't, I can't, I can't." We have to banish that mind from this solar system. Anything is possible; everything is possible. Sometimes you feel that your dreams are impossible, but they're not. Human beings have great potential; they can do anything. The power of the mind is incredible, limitless.

~~ Lama Yeshe ~~

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?

Benefits Of the Chenrezig Mantra And How To Practice with a Prayer Wheel

Earlier this year when Rinpoche flew from Singapore to the United States, a very devoted air stewardess sat on the floor in the aisle asking Rinpoche many questions about his prayer wheel (Rinpoche always travels with and turns a prayer wheel while on a plane.) Rinpoche arranged for her to receive a prayer wheel and sent her a letter, which is excerpted below:

“Regarding the prayer wheel, I wanted to explain how you can use it. Before using the prayer wheel and reciting the Chenrezig mantra, please generate bodhicitta motivation [Rinpoche included the Refuge and Bodhicitta prayer, and the Four Immeasurable Thoughts].

Then in particular generate this motivation:

The purpose of my life is to benefit all sentient beings from whom I have received all my past happiness from beginningless rebirth. It is due to the kindness of numberless sentient beings (as there are numberless universes - scientifically and also it is mentioned by Buddha) so they are most unbelievably kind, they are most precious ones.

All my present happiness has been received due to their kindness. So they are most kind, most dear ones.

All my future lives happiness is received from numberless sentient beings, who are the most kind, most precious, most dear ones.

Then even my ultimate happiness, liberation from the oceans of samsaric sufferings and its causes, I received from numberless sentient beings, so they are the most precious, most dear ones.

Then full enlightenment, the peerless happiness, the completed qualities and cessation of not only the gross obscurations but the cessation of the subtle obscurations, so this is received from numberless sentient beings who are the most kind, dearest ones, in my life.

So keep your mind in that thought. Recognize and feel how precious they are.

Then there are numberless suras - worldly devas - and asuras, they are numberless in each realm, so in the same way as above, think that I have received all my happiness from them. Meditate how kind, how precious, most dear ones.

Then there are numberless hell beings, hungry ghosts and animals – I have received all my happiness from them. Keep that in mind. Remember how they are the most precious, most kind, dearest ones in one’s own life. I have received all the happiness from them, to be free from the oceans samsaric suffering and from them I am able to achieve full enlightenment- the peerless happiness. Generally speaking they don’t have the opportunity [to practice Dharma], because they haven’t met a virtuous friend , a guru, who shows them the unmistaken path to liberation and enlightenment, who shows them the path to be liberated from samsara - which is only in the nature of suffering – and who brings them to enlightenment. Also they haven’t even met the Buddha Dharma, nor have they a received perfect human rebirth (which is extremely rare) - with the ability to practice Dharma.

Think - this one time I have received this perfect human rebirth - I have the opportunity to develop my mind on the path to enlightenment, I have the opportunity to help others, just this time I have the opportunity to liberate every single sentient being from each realm from the oceans of samsaric suffering and bring them to full enlightenment - therefore I must achieve full enlightenment. Therefore I am going to do the practice of turning the prayer wheel and chanting the mantra in order to achieve enlightenment quickly for all beings. In order to benefit all beings quickly I need to achieve full enlightenment quickly - so for that I need to actualize the path to enlightenment, therefore I need to purify my defilements and obstacles and to collect extensive merit. Therefore I must generate great compassion to each and every sentient being therefore I am going to do the recitation of mantra and meditation of turning the prayer wheel.

This motivation is the best motivation, best Dharma, because you generate the mind of bodhicitta, from that you collect limitless skies of merit, skies of good luck and virtue. With this motivation then whatever you do, such as reciting Om mani padme hum - each recitation is for all sentient beings, for their happiness and with each mantra you collect limitless skies of merit, good karma, virtue and good luck and each mantra becomes the cause of enlightenment, and by the way becomes the cause to be free from the oceans of samsaric suffering and by the way you receive happiness in future lives, then also you receive success in this life no question, this happens without even thinking, it just happens by the way.

The benefits of reciting Chenrezig’s mantra are inconceivable [Rinpoche included the short and long mantra]. If you recite the long mantra one time, then according to the texts, it purifies the heavy negative karma of the four root downfalls of pratimoksha (individual liberation). So this very heavy negative karma is completely purified. Also it purifies the very heavy negative karma of killing one’s father and mother, drawing blood from a Buddha, killing an arhant and causing disunity among the Sangha. Then also by reciting this mantra one time you purify the negative karma of the 10 non-virtues (killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slander, gossip and harsh speech, covetousness, ill will and heresy).

If you recite the long mantra 7 times it purifies 100 lifetimes negative karma.If you recite the long mantra 21 times it purifies 1000 eons of negative karma. If you recite the long mantra 108 times (one mala) it purifies 40,000 eons of negative karma.

This is just to give you a very rough idea of the benefits and the power of this mantra. Not only does it purify all this negative karma, but also it fulfills all your wishes of happiness, to achieve enlightenment, to be able to liberate numberless sentient beings from the oceans of samsaric suffering and its causes, karma and delusion, and to bring each and every sentient being to the peerless happiness - full enlightenment. There is no greater success than this in your life. By the way you achieve liberation from the oceans of samsaric suffering, by the way you achieve all the happiness of future lives, and by the way you achieve all the happiness of this life, as well as all your needs.

One thing to mention - without creating the karma you cannot find success, whether to find a job, maybe it is unbelievably difficult, even one makes unbelievable effort, but one is unable to find success. It is by practicing Dharma that one is able to purify negative karma and to collect extensive merits. So by reciting Om mani padme hum and other methods it becomes so unbelievably easy to have success and to have all happiness. By realizing this - you the one person - just by generating compassion, are able to liberate numberless sentient beings from each realm, from the oceans of samsaric suffering and bring them to full enlightenment. This is most amazing, so these are the benefits that you get by reciting this mantra even just one time. Then the particular benefit of this mantras is that you generate great compassion to all sentient beings.

Therefore this is the best thing that you can do for world peace, reciting these mantras is unbelievably important, it makes one’s mind more peaceful, more calm, more compassionate to others. Even if one doesn’t know Buddhist philosophy - the hundreds of volumes of Buddha’s teachings and the two hundred volumes of the commentaries of the great highly attained holy beings, the great Indian pandits, as well as the many teachings written by the enlightened Tibetan lamas. So without even learning all of this, just by chanting these mantras it makes your life so peaceful and you can benefit others so much. Even if one has no intelligence or no understanding of Dharma you get unbelievable benefits by reciting these mantras and you purify past negative karma and collect extensive merits, your mind becomes more compassionate to others. In this way so many sentient beings don’t receive harm from you, and receive peace and happiness from you and you go towards enlightenment day by day.

This is my actual experience. In the area where I was born in Solu Khumbu, near Mount Everest, every old person, even though they can’t read Tibetan letters, they never went to school etc. but they live their life chanting Om mani padme hum with strong faith, and they have such good hearts, incredible good hearts. Even great scholars, who are very learned, know so much about Buddhist philosophy, but in their hearts maybe they are not peaceful, in fact maybe [they are developing] more pride, more delusion, more problems, no inner peace, more selfish mind and so forth, instead of developing more compassion.

Please read the book Teachings from the Mani Retreat [published by Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive] – this has much better explanation. It is very, very important to discover this. I am sure you have a good heart, so therefore you can help so many people by reciting Om mani padme hum, you will inspire other people, so many people will be inspired by your good heart, your good example, this is how you can bring world peace, from life to life, bring peace and happiness to all sentient beings.

So before turning the prayer wheel and chanting the mantra, visualize Chenrezig – like in the pictures I sent you. In the future when you are able to take Chenrezig great initiation then you can actually visualize yourself as Chenrezig, but you can’t do that yet, you first need to receive Chenrezig great initiation. So until then you visualize Chenrezig on your crown or in front of you. Visualize as an actual living being, alive, and that Chenrezig is sending compassion to you, sending nectar beams within you. The beams enter your body and mind, as well as all sentient beings of the six realms’ body and mind.

Think that yourself and all beings are completely purified of all sickness, spirit harm, the cause of karma and delusion, immediately, instantly purified, like a dirty glass being filled with milk and all the dirty waste shoots out, the glass becomes completely clear and clean. So think like that as you recite one mala of the mantra - mainly concentrate on purifying, all the dirty liquid comes out and you are purified.

Then while reciting the next mala concentrate on receiving all the qualities of Compassion Buddha, Chenrezig – all the limitless skies of qualities of Chenrezig’s holy body, speech and mind, especially omniscience, great compassion to all sentient beings, perfect power to do perfect works for all sentient beings, so concentrate on receiving the qualities. Especially think that you receive great compassion to all sentient beings. Really try to feel that.

So while you are reciting the mantra and doing the meditation then you can also turn the prayer wheel.

Then while reciting the next mala (also as you turn the prayer wheel) think that Chenrezig is purifying the six realms’ sentient beings, including the intermediate state beings (so it is 7 realms), purifying all their sufferings, whatever their specific suffering is, purifying the causes - karma and delusion. Think they are all completely purified, particularly purify the five delusions (ignorance, anger, attachment, pride and jealous mind). So mainly focus that all sentient beings are purified.

Then while reciting the next mala think that all sentient beings receive all the qualities of Chenrezig, as well as yourself, but mainly focus on others.

At the end of your practice then please dedicate well:

Due to all the three time merit collected by myself, numberless sentient beings, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, may the precious bodhicitta mind be developed in my heart and in the hearts of all my family members, in the hearts of all the leaders of the world, as well as in the hearts of all the people who follow different religions, as well as in the hearts of all sentient beings. Whatever bodhicitta has already been developed, may it not decrease, but increase forever more.

Due to all the three time merit collected by myself, numberless sentient beings, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas -which exist - but who are empty from their own side. May the I - which exists but is empty from its own side. Achieve complete Buddhas enlightenment - which exists but which is empty from its own side. And lead all the sentient beings - who exist but who are empty from their own side. To full enlightenment - which exists but which is empty from its own side. And may I actualize this by myself alone.

Due to all the three time merit collected by myself, numberless sentient beings, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, by having generated bodhicitta in my heart every day – may everyone in the world live their life only to benefit others, may no one harm another and whatever they do with their body, speech and mind, may it only cause enlightenment and happiness to all sentient beings. May no one experience war, famine, disease, torture, sickness, dangers of earth, water, tsunami, wind, as well as may no one experience dangers when travelling. May they always be safe when travelling, including in the airplane.

Thank you very much. I don’t need any present, you mentioned that you wanted to give, but if you could do this practice it would be the most unbelievable present to me. Maybe in the airplane you may not be able to carry the prayer wheel (not sure) but you can carry the mala and chant the mantra and do the same meditation.

In the future it would be so great if they could produce airplanes that have a prayer wheel inside or on the roof, there could be a compartment that has a large prayer wheel inside and those people who want to practice or turn the prayer wheel can come into the compartment and turn it (this is just to make you laugh).

Thank you very much. If you are able to practice like this, it is the best present, better than offering a billion, zillion dollars. Thank you very much.

With much love and prayers,

Lama Zopa

In the land encircled by snow mountainsYou are the source of all happiness and good;All powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,Please remain until samsara ends.

Rinpoche's treatment continues here in France. The flight from Nepal was smooth, it took some days of rest after the flight to recover. The treatment is going well, especially with Khandro la's assistance. We are hoping with 4 weeks of concentrated therapy Rinpoche will make some good improvement. The main focus is on the right arm and right leg.

While in Kopan Rinpoche did give some teachings to the monks and nuns. Rinpoche kept the teachings brief (for Rinpoche) ... about 2 hours and this worked well, if it was longer Rinpoche's speech started to get tired.

Thank you to everyone for all your support in many different ways, greatly appreciated.

roger

"Things are not what they appear to be: nor are they otherwise." --Surangama Sutra

Phenomenon, vast as space, dharmata is your base, arising and falling like ocean tide cycles, why do i cling to your illusion of unceasing changlessness?

Sent by Ven. Roger Kunsang on April 2, 2012:Dear Friends,Rinpoche is doing well. Progress is still slow, but seems normal for this situation. The main thing is that there is still progress. Rinpoche is more independent, using the right hand more and the right leg is stronger, we just need to focus on getting the action more correct. Rinpoche's speech is very clear when speaking Tibetan. In English, if he doesn't make effort, there is a slight slur. But when teaching and [when] Rinpoche focuses on the pronunciation, it is clear. Blood pressure and sugar levels are good for Rinpoche's situation, and the doctors are pleased. Long term, Rinpoche doesn't want to have to take Western medicine if possible. So in the long term, we have to find other methods combined with a good lifestyle!Thank you everyone for all your support and kindness.

In the land encircled by snow mountainsYou are the source of all happiness and good;All powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,Please remain until samsara ends.